novelraw Chapter 285 - 284 - Matchmaker
Chapter 285 - 284 - Matchmaker
Emperor Calim felt fear suddenly looking at the smiling face of Lind Frey. He respected the man. He had built a more than fine sect. He had raised the Tur Kingdom from a backwater power to an easy path of rivaling his own empire.
The fact it was done in less than a century while also building a sect made the Iron Tier cultivator someone to be considerate too, but Calim never felt inferior to anyone until a sudden shift behind the boy revealed 2 individuals.
Sky Realms!
The pristine white robes of the gorgeous woman instantly identified her as a Heavenly Maiden. The steel gray robe of the man with a lazy smirk looked on was a Divine Sword Sect Member. So young!
"Emperor Calim, I think you need a reminder. I am not under the wing of any single power but neither am I wholly independent." A shift behind the Emperor made his advisors yelp as yet another Sky Realm was revealed. It was an aether child of air and fire.
Her flirtatious wink was confusing but the frightening aura made it clear she was displeased.
"Master Frey is a valued guest elder of my sect. We will not let him be dictated to." The Maiden spoke but most realized she was wearing silvery gauntlets that made blood drain from Rathi and Callisto's faces. They knew this was an expert from the Floating Isles!
"Mistress Iron said it best. We consider Master Frey a good friend of our sect. We prefer that he enjoys his freedom too." If the gauntlets scared the others, the ornate sword on the back of the man actually nearly made Callisto bow in subservience.
The steel colored eyes glanced at her and winked.
"I heard your wedding was blissful, Little Sister. Sorry I could not come." Callisto blushed as the man in front of her was a legend also of the Floating Isles.
"Elder Slayer honors me and I am pleased to meet you. I would enjoy a bout before I have to return to my husband." The tension in the room rose before emerald light flared briefly. All swiveled to Lind to see he was pale just from that exertion.
"Another time, please." Properly chided, the 2 bowed to him which made Calim actually break out in a sweat.
"The Starfire House would appreciate not damaging this fine sect we helped Master Lind build. Mother Estelle also stated that anyone that interferes in Lind Frey's life in an unwelcome way will not enjoy any benefits of the Sapphire Auction House ever again." Rathi now frowned deeply as that clear statement was a threat even he could not ignore.
Cimmeria was an open city and one of the few places high end materials could be obtained for the Blood Empire. If they ever crossed Lind Frey, it would not be worth it. The fact the aether child called the known leader of the Starfire House 'mother' also left no room for negotiation.
Emperor Calim felt sweat break out on his brow. He had faced many beast tides and enemies but in a single move, a junior had cornered him.
"I appreciate all of the seniors expressing concern for me, but I want it clear that I will fight my battles. I only ask my loved ones not to be affected." Emperor Calim now felt a tremor. The man in front of him simply wanted to fight without fear. Such a man was far more terrifying.
It meant he felt the sect was safe and the 3 nods meant his respect with those powers was far more than he had believed. The rumors about the support for the Moebius Sect had always seemed more transactional than anything but clearly he had been wrong.
"You kept your connections close to your chest, Master Frey." Calim felt he had been played but also the world. The Heavenly Maiden Sect had been silent on Lind Frey's status for 90 years but it was generally known guest elders had to contribute to the sect to maintain their status.
"I simply value friendship and keep in contact. Also, I had nothing but time for the last 90 years." The tired tone made Calim slowly nod. Lind Frey had been healing. While running the sect had been massive, anything with cultivation was forbidden. Thus. he had indeed been free to strengthen all his old connections and nurture new ones.
"I will keep that in mind in the future, we are also dismissed?" His daughters looked stunned at their father retreating so easily. He was not a full hardy warrior king but a crafty strategist that usually cornered his foes before they realized what was happening.
Lind Frey had stripped away options so quickly?!
However, their host looked confused and smiled in a way that sent chills down all their spines.
"You think you get off so easily? Oh no, my dear neighbor." Lind then looked to Rathi. The silence stretched before the demon sighed.
"As it is pointless, we did make it seem like your relationship with Princess Lysanna was closer than it actually was. It was difficult as Emperor Calim is rather cautious but he truly wants you in his circle." Emperor Calim blanched to have his desires turned against him.
Lind nodded before turning back.
"I do not like being used nor do I like sneak attacks. I do, however, understand knowing your neighbors very well. You rule well from what I understand and would never force your children to do something against their will." Calim was surprised at the warm tone from Lind.
"Family is the greatest gift from the Heavens. I would never spurn it." He pulled each daughter into a hug when made them embarrassed. Lind smiled gently but his dark green eyes glinted sharply.
Most missed it, but Callisto and Wyndam both noticed. Both of them felt a little fear at how terrifying Lind had become. He was leading a lamb to slaughter and they had no idea.
When did he become so manipulative?
"Now, to be very clear, to ALL in this room. I am happily married to women I deeply love. There is a, shall we say, tricky aspect to one I am still comprehending but I am never stopping its progress." Cyntilla smirked at him as he had been dragged into it a bit even so. "That being said, I would be a fool to close my mind to the harm of my friends. So, make your case."
Calim now understood. He had his opportunity but no games were allowed. Only truth would aid his hopes.
"My empire has many resources as you know–" Calim stopped as Lind held up his hands.
"I am not noble, Emperor Calim. I am Sect Master, an elixir master, and a Forger. I am a peak Iron Tier 6 elemental. I am happy as I am. So why would I disrupt that harmony? Why would I want to marry your daughters?" Calim was confused. He was about to explain that but clearly it was not what Lind wanted to hear.
The words spoken were clear but Emperor Calim was a little lost. If his empire was not enticing enough, why forge an alliance through marriage?
Lind saw that Calim was confused but his daughters were blushing in comprehension. Wyndam looked confused though. There was nothing wrong with hearing out the offer and his master knew that. What was he doing?
"Um, father. I think we should talk now." He looked back at them but was further confused to see them blushing. Why should they be blushing but they had sharp minds, so he trusted them.
He waved and they stepped forward.
"Master Frey, my sister and I have admired you for a long time. You take excellent care of not only your family but your disciples. They speak highly of you and are loyal to you not for what was given to them but what you inspired in them." Pelea was exuberant while Yaren was calmer.
"My sister and I both knew if we could choose a husband, we would like a man that saw us as more than pieces on a board." Lind could think of many princes and princesses that would share that thought, but understood. He nodded for them to continue.
"We have suitors but most only see us as a method to achieve their goals. Some are not bad people at all, but we would only be trophies to them. You do not see your wives like that. Their legends only grew after the Moebius Sect rose." Yaren finally looked excited. "I especially admire Lady Qing. She is a great woman that has made heart demons easier to face for many."
"Shoti is the best! Her whip Arts are mesmerizing and she was unstoppable in that beast tide 40 years ago!" Pelea practically looked starry eyed until her sister pinched her side to snap her out of it.
Lind had to hide a giggle behind a cough but he was not alone. Shoti did not mind inspiring people but hero worship made her run for the hills. Cyntilla would no doubt relay the story later.
Ethry also smirked as she had come to know the strange quirks of her elder sisters.
"I appreciate admiration, but why do you want to marry me? What do you see in me, not my actions, that you desire?" Lind seemed very frank but those that knew him were mystified. Lysanna, especially, was flustered. Why was he so open to the sisters?! Were they prettier than her?!
The questions seemed to throw them but Emperor Calim became solemn. It was not the way they were trained to think. Benefits to themselves, the Empire, or their future husband was how they were trained. Lind was pushing them to think differently.
"We, we don't understand, Master Frey." Yaren spoke but Pelea nodded right next to her. Lind sighed and turned to Cyntilla.
"My terror on 2 legs, who am I?" Cyntilla bopped him over the head with a fist but she smiled at him. Her beauty was so much more with such a gentle smile. Ethry pouted but then seemed to smile wide.
"You are my husband, my love, my Lind." She held his face with her hand gently before Ethry put her arms around him from behind fiercely.
"You are Lind! Not sharing!" Lind sighed but patted her silver haired head.
"Not quite but close, Ethry. We belong to each other and we are just us." Lind looked at the sisters and saw them both confused and wanting. "You view the world as royalty. There is nothing wrong with that, but to walk next to me there is a critical thing that needs to happen."
Lind stood up and walked to Lysanna before he stood before her. She looked pale and sad but then he gently patted her head. She looked up hopefully at him but he simply smiled at her.
"You have to let your heart pull you in foolish and wonderful ways. You have to be fearless and expose your soul to pain and joy. In short, you have to know what your heart wants, not what would be good for your empire." Lind patted Lysanna's head and she was deep crimson while Wyndam snickered.
"So, you will be marrying Princess Lysanna Tur?" Calim voiced the question but Cyntilla was the first to laugh at him.
"Lind did not even know she liked him until over a month ago. Since then, there has been a little problem consuming all his time as well as hers. My husband is saying that your daughters do like my Lind, but they do not have a reason beyond that." Cyntilla smiled gently at them.
The twins looked lost so Lind drove home his point.
"You were happy earlier when I knew which was which without using my Eyes. You liked the sect and the feeling here. You admire my family but what actually had your hearts racing was where you stand and a simple distinction." LInd returned to his seat and smiled warmly at them. "You want someone that can see your unique perspectives and you want to be here."
Wonder showed on their faces and Emperor Calim looked floored. His daughters were so simple to please?
"So you will consider us in the future?" Pelea looked hopeful but Lind smiled wider before shattering their dreams.
"No. I will not, but I think you should wait to marry regardless. Afterall, you need to get to know your fiance." All felt he was heartless at first but were confused later.
Emperor Calim went from enraged to confused. What was this man going on about? If not him, who was worthy of his daughters?
"Prince Wyndam Tur. He is a Stone Tier 6 elemental but he is also the sole creator of 6 elemental Arts. He is the one that can tell at a glance who is who. He is the one that happily chatted with you about the sect, your questions, and also might I add that he deeply respects the both of you for your prowess in battle." Wyndam shot to his feet in shock but his sister clamped on his arms.
She had her serious look on and he froze under it.
"Hmmm." Calim was evaluating the prince and found no issue. The revelations also were confirmed with his own memory for the time they waited for the meeting to start. The boy did not wilt but he was clearly nervous.
"If my daughters approve, I will endorse it." He left it up to them but they looked very confused. Wyndam also looked a little lost. How had they come to that conclusion?!
"Then courtship shall begin." Lind smiled widely and Wyndam finally grasped what had happened. Calim Empire was powerful and offending them was unacceptable. Rathi's revelation showed they had been used and Lind would not accept them.
Last, his master was crafty. It was an acceptable solution but it felt too cold to Wyndam.
"Wyndam, what is your decision?" Lind's voice jolted him out of his thoughts but realized he was silent after the Emperor had spoken. He looked at the twins but the conversation played in his mind and suddenly it clicked.
"You are a monster, Master." Lind and Cyntilla laughed before he bowed low to the twins. "Allow me to bring some clarity. My Master dislikes forced marriages or marriages of convenience. He is happy to welcome you to the sect under my guidance where we can see if we truly do get along."
Wyndam saw Lind's smile widen. A predator had slain its prey.
"Further, for the public at large, I am courting you to bring your empire into our sect for the other powers to not object nor abuse your presence. I am not a fall back nor are you forced to marry me. We are both royals and I am an important member of the sect. It is acceptable in the public eye." Wyndam then smiled as he waved at the larger room and sect beyond. "Personally, I would love to show you the sect if you want to see it."
Smiles finally broke out and the girls giggled. They seemed surprised but could not pin down why his words made them giggle. Calim's eyes warmed considerably. He nodded to Lind Frey and they were led out of the room by Wyndam who sent a glare at Lind to warn him about harsh words later.
The layers had been peeled back and now only the core issue remained. Tessa had been quiet and patient but now Rathi and Callisto moved forward. The true issue now had to be discussed.